PATIENT AND FAMILY TEACHING

• Teach the patient about the role of the thyroid gland, the disease process and the treatment needed (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).

• Make sure the patient can verbalize an understanding of the medications he/she is taking. If not further teaching is needed.

  • Including dosage, route, if taken with food, action, adverse effects and laboratory tests needed (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).

• Teach patient and family these signs and symptoms and to report them immediately.

  • Rapid heart rate, palpitations, perspiration, shakiness, tremors, SOB, n/v, neck swelling, difficulty swallowing, or weight loss (Sommers, 2011, p. 514).

• Emphasize the importance of a good diet, regular exercise, and to avoid high environmental temperatures (Lewis et al., 2013, p. 1201).

• Teach the patient about the need for follow-up care with the doctor.

  • Biweekly for the first month and then semiannually from then on (Lewis et al., 2013, p. 1201).

http://www.obsmedical.com/